As expected, Terry Francona interviewed with the Cardinals today, meeting with team chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. at his private equity firm in Cincinnati.

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatchspoke to Francona after the interview and the former Red Sox manager said: “There is a huge amount of tradition. A good organization. I was just excited to back in there and talk to them. Whatever happens, happens.”

Strauss also reports that Francona declined to comment on whether he’s a candidate for the Cubs job.

I think this interview stuff is all for show. The redbirds have a guy in mind from within the organization. Probably Jose, but could be another guy. They just want to show the fans that they did an “extensive search” for the best guy.